The Most Common Causes of Shoulder Pain and How We Treat Them

Calendar September 26, 2025
Calendar 2 mins

Shoulder pain can be more than just an occasional nuisance—it often interferes with daily life, from lifting a child or reaching overhead to simply getting a good night’s sleep. If you're dealing with ongoing shoulder discomfort, you're not alone. Conditions like arthritis, tendinitis, and bursitis are among the most common causes of shoulder pain in adults, affecting millions yearly. 

The good news is that not every case of shoulder pain leads to surgery. Advanced, non-surgical solutions that leverage your body’s natural healing process can reduce shoulder pain and restore function naturally. 

Identifying Common Causes of Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain can arise from a range of conditions, but the most frequently diagnosed causes include:

  • Shoulder Arthritis: A degenerative condition that leads to cartilage loss, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
  • Tendinitis: Inflammation or irritation of the shoulder tendons, often caused by repetitive motion or overuse.
  • Bursitis: Swelling of the small fluid-filled sac (bursae) that cushions the rotator cuff tendons, resulting in pain with movement or pressure.

Because these conditions can produce overlapping symptoms, an accurate diagnosis is essential. Fortunately, our Desert Spine and Sports Physicians specialists use detailed physical exams and advanced imaging to pinpoint the source of pain and tailor a treatment plan that delivers real results.

PRP and BMAC Therapy: A Revolutionary Approach to Shoulder Pain

For patients seeking long-term relief without surgery, regenerative therapies like Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) offer an innovative and effective path forward.

PRP Therapy involves drawing a small amount of the patient’s blood, spinning it in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, and injecting the platelet-rich solution into the injured shoulder tissue. These platelets release growth factors that stimulate healing and promote tissue repair. This is particularly helpful in treating tendinitis, bursitis, and mild to moderate arthritis.

BMAC Therapy, on the other hand, uses stem cells extracted from a patient’s own bone marrow—typically taken from the pelvic bone. This marrow is concentrated and injected into the affected shoulder joint or tissue. The stem cells support the regeneration of cartilage, tendon, and bone. This effect makes BMAC particularly valuable for more advanced or complex shoulder injuries.

Why Choose Regenerative Injections for Shoulder Pain

Regenerative injections, as part of a non-surgical, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) and Pain Management approach, are key in treating musculoskeletal conditions like shoulder pain. Some of the key benefits of this approach include:

  • Restoring function by targeting the root cause of pain and improving mobility.
  • Enhancing quality of life with therapies designed to support long-term healing and activity.
  • Offering non-surgical solutions that reduce risks and downtime compared to traditional surgery.

The fellowship-trained physiatrists and pain management specialists at Desert Spine and Sports Physicians specialize in advanced, image-guided procedures, regenerative therapies, individualized physical therapy planning, and electrodiagnostic testing. By combining innovative care with evidence-based treatments, our team helps patients throughout Arizona return to the activities they enjoy, without relying on surgery.

Schedule Your Appointment with Desert Spine and Sports Physicians Today

Shoulder pain doesn’t have to dictate how you live. Whether it stems from arthritis, tendinitis, bursitis, or another condition, effective treatment begins with an accurate diagnosis and a plan tailored to your needs.

If shoulder pain has been limiting your mobility, interfering with sleep, or keeping you from the activities you enjoy, now is the time to act. Schedule an appointment with the expert team at Desert Spine and Sports Physicians today, and take the first step toward lasting pain relief and a healthier, more active future.

 

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